Introduction to subcultures

Subculture is a group of people with a culture who differentiate from the larger culture that they belong to. As early as 1950, there has been a distinction between an accepted majority style and a ‘subculture’ as an active minority style. Dick Hebdige argued that a subculture is a subversion to normality. Subcultures tend to be perceived as negative and have a nature of criticism. Subcultures bring together individuals who feel neglected and allow them to develop a sense of identity. They often consist of the study of symbolism attached to clothing, music.

We are going to explore how a subculture can be absorbed into the mainstream by the exposure in the media because the iconography is popularised and then consumed. The subculture becoming popular creates consumption for it’s lifestyle and fashion.

The subcultures we are going to focus on are how punks originated and how cyber culture is affecting subcultures today with the likes of hipster culture.